2010, The Year of the Salvadoran Busts

Going into the 2010 season we saw a couple El Salvadoran players sign with various Major League Soccer clubs. But by July 1 most of those players have been released from those teams.

Ouch.

Cristian Castillo (D.C. United) and Julio Martinez (Chicago), who arrived this season, and Ramon Sanchez (San Jose), who signed late last year, were all released.

That leaves only Osael Romero (Chivas USA) and Deris Umanzor (Chicago) in MLS; neither have contributed much so far this season either. Oh and Arturo Alvarez is still in the mix but he probably is the only one that stands the chance of actually staying on with his current team (San Jose).

So why are these Salvadoran players turning out to be busts? Well the preseason hype we gave them didn’t help. Martinez was expected to help Chicago’s midfield out from the loss of Chris Rolfe and Blanco. Castillo was thought to be the next best midfield signing from Central America for D.C. United.

It looks as though the Central American signings for the league are a thing of yesterday. No longer are teams finding Raul Diaz Arce and Mauricio Cienfuego when they go hunting for new talent.